Research: Introducing wolves help to improve damaged ecosystems

[large thumbnail url=”research-introducing-wolves-help-to-improve-damaged-ecosystems” filename=”science” year=”2010″ month=”02″ day=”04″] [thumbnail icon url=”research-introducing-wolves-help-to-improve-damaged-ecosystems” filename=”science” year=”2010″ month=”02″ day=”04″] Researchers published in the February issue of BioScience suggests that introducing tightly controlled wolf populations in to damaged ecosystems could both restore that ecosystem and improve the public image of wolves.

The populations would not be self-sustaining, and may consist of a single pack. But the BioScience authors suggest that even managed populations could bring ecological, educational, recreational, scientific, and economic benefits.

The authors, Daniel S. Licht, of the National Park Service, and four coauthors, note that research in recent years has shown the importance of wolves to ecosystems in which they naturally occur. For example, the presence of wolves usually leads to fewer ungulates, which in turn generally means more plant biomass and biodiversity. Wolves can also increase tourism…